The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-09-22

every thIng else she did, IN accordance
with fixed system, changeless as the
laws of the Medes and Persians She
wanted him to regard her as a model 1
housekeeper-to set her very high and
at last find her indispensable. Her re-
ward would come upon that day when
he asked her to be his housekeeper for
life. His hour must strike sooner OF
later. His heart would demand its
right. That school-boy love of which
he had told her when Desiree came to
live with them--this paternaI liking for
the child OF Hortense-wero trifes
which gave her no uneasinoss.
For the first time since leaving the
paternal roof, Arnim had kept the
Christmas feast. Desirce, who had for
long weeks been full of secrets, pre-
pared the Christmas tree, laden with
Inexpensive gifts, most of them the
work of her skillful fingers.
When the doctor, with warm pres
sure Of tho hand, and in voice
choked with emotion, tried to express
that gratitude for which words were
too poor, she said:
The thanks are all on my side.
You have given me home. Never,
since my mothers death, have 1 been
SO happy, so free from care, as now.
Where shall l be ncxt ChristmasP
often ask myself. can not be so dis
tant from you that my thoughts will
not center i'll this dear refuge"
God willing, you will be here,
Desircc," replied the doctor, "Your
studies are only just begun"
Spring came earlier and more radi-
ant than ever, so thought teacher and
pupil. The garden threw off its win
ter robe, and appeared fresh and fair
rs youthful beauty in her first ball
dress. The nightingales sang amid the
''wcrs, the syringas and ilacs poured
'th Intoxicating perfumes, the nar-
cissus, with its great child-like eyes,
gazcd out into the blossoming wovld.
Th" forests, clCthcd in tender green,
wcl" vocal with bird songs; and the
drnn>y hum of butterflies and beetles,
seemingly drunken with the very de-
light Of existence. When nature thus
!nOvcd TO her fair domain, who could
,emain within four narrow walls?
The goal of Arnim's and DcSircc's
wandrrinGs was mostly that little rus
tic temple on the hilltop which, with
lyNn's help, had been very prettily
fitted up. Here Arnim often took his
afternoon coffee or his glass of light
winc-hcrc the two had their little sup
pers, DcSircc acting rs hostess. Here
with her work in hand she sat in u win
dow recess while the doctor read to
her. The tangled trcsscs of the maid
en-hair, blent with the rich sprays of
the cypress. touched the luXurant hair
OF the young girls head rs it bent over
her work, or at some fine passage was
lifted that the bcaming eyes might cx-
press the delight for which words were
too poor.
Arnim feared that Marianne might
discover these little fCaStS, and abrupt
ly end them. Absorbed in her own
pursuits, she was not included in their
division of the day. He often gazcd
down the path, for the short, rotlmd
figure in the large gardcn-hat, and the
dress carefully caught up that it might
escape the ground. But to his relief,
no Marianne ever came.
| ''DO You know what my mother al
ways called mc?' asked Desiree one
| day, as they walked slowly homcward.
GLOW should l know?"
pHpHlOn' that is French for but
tcrily. 1t would seem so like old. times
if You would call me by that name"
81 will, my child, since the name so
well suits your brightness and mobil-
ity But this constant scmblancc of
flight alarms me. Have you grown
tired of this place? IS it too lonely for
you? Does Marianne annoy you by
her cNactions? Tcll ne frankly"
He paused and Gazcd down upon the
airy figure in the pink dress. She had
thrown of her light summer hat-thc
| breeze waved back the curls from her
| forehead.
"Unclc, how can you ask such ques-
tlons?" she cried. cXcitcdly. "You
must know that [ would like to live
with you always Perhaps" she
| added, miSchicyous smile displaying
the dimpIc in her left chccll-"perhaps
Marianne will marry some day, and [
become your hOuSckccper
Marianne marry! Strange that the
thought had not before occurred to
! her cousin.
"Why notP' he asked himself az
they walked on. Greater miracles had
happened. Yes. in that event Papillon
should keep his house, and under her